How do I protect my baby from coronavirus?

Can newborns get COVID-19?

Current evidence suggests that the chance of a newborn getting COVID-19 from their birth parent is low, especially when the parent takes steps (such as wearing a mask and washing hands) to prevent spread before and during care of the newborn.

Are newborns at higher risk of COVID-19 infection?

Current evidence suggests that the risk of a newborn getting COVID-19 from their mother is low, especially when the mother takes steps (such as wearing a mask and her washing hands) to prevent spread before and during care of the newborn.

Can children be infected with COVID-19?

Children and adolescents can be infected with SARS-CoV-2, can get sick with COVID-19, and can spread the virus to others.

Can I take care of my newborn if I have COVID-19 and there is no healthy caregiver?

If a healthy caregiver is not available, you can care for your newborn if you are well enough.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before touching for your newborn. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Wear a mask when within 6 feet of your newborn and other people during your entire isolation period. The mask helps prevent you from spreading the virus to others.

Conversation with Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer | Davos | #WEF22

What precautions should caregivers take when touching a newborn baby during COVID-19?

Caregivers should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds before touching your newborn. If soap and water are not available, they should use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

What precautions should I take if my newborn is in the same room as me in the hospital during COVID-19 isolation?

If you are in isolation for COVID-19 and are sharing a room with your newborn, take the following steps to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to your newborn:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before holding or caring for your newborn. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Wear a mask when within 6 feet of your newborn.
• Keep your newborn more than 6 feet away from you as much as possible.
• Discuss with your healthcare provider ways to protect your newborn, such as using a physical barrier (for example, placing the newborn in an incubator) while in the hospital.

How does COVID-19 affect children?

Most children who become infected with the COVID-19 virus have only a mild illness. But in children who go on to develop MIS-C , some organs and tissues — such as the heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, digestive system, brain, skin or eyes — become severely inflamed.

Are children less likely to get severely ill from COVID-19?

Hospitalization rates in children are significantly lower than hospitalization rates in adults with COVID-19, suggesting that children may have less severe illness from COVID-19 compared to adults.

Can children spread COVID-19 to others if they don't have symptoms?

Similar to adults with SARS-CoV-2 infections, children and adolescents can spread SARS-CoV-2 to others when they do not have symptoms or have mild, non-specific symptoms and thus might not know that they are infected and infectious. Children are less likely to develop severe illness or die from COVID-19.

Are newborn babies at risk of contracting COVID-19 from their mother if the mother has COVID-19?

Current evidence suggests that the risk of a newborn getting COVID-19 from their mother is low, especially when the mother takes steps (such as wearing a mask and her washing hands) to prevent spread before and during care of the newborn.

Who is most at risk for the coronavirus disease?

Older adults are at highest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. More than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65. The number of deaths among people over age 65 is 97 times higher than the number of deaths among people ages 18-29 years.

Are infants eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine?

Although infants aged <6 months are not currently eligible for vaccination, evidence suggests that this age group can receive protection through passive transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies acquired through vaccination (9).

Should I wear a mask around my baby if I have COVID-19?

Wear a mask when within 6 feet of your newborn and other people during your entire isolation period. The mask helps prevent you from spreading the virus to others.

How long do COVID-19 antibodies last in newborn babies?

“The durability of the antibody response here shows vaccination not only provides lasting protection for mothers but also antibodies that persist in a majority of infants to at least six months of age,” Edlow said.

Can COVID-19 be transmitted through breast milk?

Current evidence suggests that breast milk is not likely to spread the virus to babies. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

Are kids any more or less likely than adults to spread coronavirus?

Early studies suggested that children do not contribute much to the spread of coronavirus. But more recent studies raise concerns that children could be capable of spreading the infection.

What conditions put children at higher risk for COVID-19?

Like adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or who are immunocompromised can also be at increased risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

Are healthy young and middle-aged adults at risk of dying from COVID-19?

COVID-19 also has led to serious illness and even death in younger and middle-aged adults who are otherwise healthy. While most children have mild or no symptoms, some have gotten severely ill. As with adults, even if children have no symptoms, they can spread the virus to others.

Do most children develop mild symptoms after being infected with COVID-19?

Most children who become infected with the COVID-19 virus have only a mild illness.

What should you do if your child is sick with COVID-19?

If you think your child is sick with COVID-19, trust your instinct, especially if the child has a cough or fever. Contact your pediatrician, family care practitioner or urgent care clinic if you don't have a doctor, and follow their instructions carefully regarding isolation and testing.

What are the common side effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on children?

For children and teens ages 12 through 17 years, the most commonly reported side effects after getting the first two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are: Tiredness. Fever. Headache.

What is considered a close contact of someone with COVID-19?

For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes).

How long can COVID-19 survive out in the air and on other surfaces?

The scientists found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel.

How long does it take for symptoms of COVID-19 to appear after exposure?

Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.